It’s The Little Things (Brutal Planet, 2000)

The Brutal Planet LP takes a dark, somewhat sarcastic approach to raw, thought-provoking topics such as racism, terrorism, gluttony, greed, abuse, and the fall of humanity. Each track throws the listener deeper and deeper into the darker side of this world (and humanity).

What’s most interesting about this LP is the timing between its release and the events about to transpire. Released in 2000, little did Alice or anyone else know that the new millennium would usher in actual events that personify the irony of the disparagement found on our Brutal Planet – this place we call home.

The album is full of songs defining the state of affairs on Brutal Planet, and this week we take a more in-depth look at “It’s The Little Things.”

“Now, “It’s The Little Things,” that one is a personal thing to me. It’s basically about taking the little things and blowing them up…Now we’re at the point where we’re all on a hair-trigger. It’s the smallest things that trip us off. I’m not worried about the big things, but it’s the little things that make people snap.” – Alice Cooper

“It’s The Little Things” is a witty track about the small things in life that irritate us. What’s interesting about this song is the absolute, unabashed honesty with which it’s presented. Alice confesses in the song that the substantial problems in life aren’t what bothers him; it’s the lesser things.

How many of us live life on the edge? Ready to snap – at the slow driver in the fast lane, the traffic light that stays red too long, the person in the checkout line with 30 coupons, endless Instagram/Facebook selfies & pictures of the food folks are about to eat, slow internet, etc.?

You can burn my house; You can cut my hair
You can make me wrestle naked with a grizzly bear
You can poison my cat, Baby I don’t care
But if you talk in the movies, I’ll kill you right there

It’s the little things
It’s just the little things
Aw, it’s the little things
It’s just the little things
Yeah, it’s the little things
That drive me wild

I’m like a mad dog
I’m on a short leash
I’m on a tight rope hanging by a thread
I’m on some thin ice
You push me too far
Welcome to my nightmare
No more Mr. Nice Guy

You can steal my car and drive it into the lake
You can stick me in the oven and put it on bake
You could throw a big brick through my windowpane
But if I ever hear you ask me how I got my name

Alice brings attention to the above-listed trivial annoyances and makes us things about many others. Alice is admitting to the world, “Look, I’m human too.” As if to say, the things that bother me are the same things that bother you.

Stop and think for a moment. Isn’t it the smaller, everyday irritants that peck away at our existence? They may seem unimportant, but these annoyances can strip away parts of our souls if we allow them.

“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.” – Matthew 7:12

Life is messy – not only the crucial, more critical moments but the trivial ones as well. Our society has become impatient, angry, and looking for a fight? We’ve forgotten how to interact with each other; we’ve forgotten how to LOVE one another.

Navigating our life’s events, our relationships with others, and knowing our Father (through His Son and Spirit) is what truly matters in life, and it’s the lesser things in life that, more often than not, keep our eyes off of those things.

With 2020 out of the way, some may think we are in the clear. However, it seems division and strife are still significant obstacles in 2021, even after the turmoil from last year. It’s often nothing more than a snide comment, a pointed stare, or a political discussion that sets us off.

However, when a unified approach to life and the difficulties we face seems warranted, it seems most of society wants to focus on division. The world wants us more focused on discontent, damaged egos, and ungrateful attitudes.

As we’ve mentioned, life is messy and chaotic, and it’s the “Little Things” that bug us most, but those “Little Things” are usually situational as well. Most of the little things that annoy us are actually small miracles beneath the surface – miracles waiting to be recognized. Stop and give that one some thought.

How on Earth can life’s annoyances actually be “small miracles?” Again, it’s all about perspective.

• Piles of laundry represent people we love.
• An unmowed lawn represents the home that shelters you.
• The alarm going off in the morning means you’ve survived to live another day.
• The stoplight you’re stuck at (or the traffic you’re in) implies you have a vehicle and can drive.
• The list continues on…

The bottom line is, life can be “good” or “bad.” It all depends on your point of view. What are you going to do with those small irritants? How are you going to process the little things? Maybe strive to see past them and recognize the blessings that cause these “Little Things” to exist.

Wrapping up this week’s post, it’s easy to get caught up in the trivial moments of this life – the things that misdirect us, anger us, and leave us ready to give up. The enemy is crafty, and he likes to use sleight of hand. Isn’t it the “Little Things” that he uses to try and keep us distracted?

Stop and think about it – others’ actions, the interruptions, the unplanned events, etc., aren’t those the things that keep us focused on unimportant matters instead of what God has called us to accomplish? How do we handle the “Little Things” in life? Do they keep us uninterested and removed?

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways, submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.” – Proverbs 3:5-8

It’s sometimes tough to understand why life can be so challenging. Through the smaller hurdles (and even the major ones), we must learn to TRUST Him. We must learn NOT to be sidetracked by the oddities of this world – the “Little Things” that keep our eyes off Him.

Focusing on the uncontrollable events, large or small, often leads us to a messy, unfulfilling existence – one where we become diverted and ultimately sidelined.

If we allow the “Little Things” to pull us away from Him and reroute us, we may begin to feel as if there’s no redemption or better path. We may become bogged down in disdain and contempt for others and the world. Instead of marching forward in faith, we can become complacent with things by saying, “they just are what they are.”

Fortunately, we’ve traveled far enough on this journey with Alice to know there’s more to life than destruction, chaos, and misery. There’s a better life that IS attainable – if and when we are willing to recognize it and choose it. Let us always strive to look for the silver lining attached to the “Little Things” and be thankful for them.

In conclusion, the songs from Brutal Planet are proverbial. Honestly, most of Alice’s catalog follows that narrative. “Do this, not that” lessons and parables that teach us about ourselves and our lives.

Brutal Planet and its follow-up LP, Dragontown, especially shed light on humanity apart from God – what life looks like when there’s no purpose or meaning behind it.

When we start taking a closer look at our world and this life, we find that Heaven is about SOMEONE – Heaven is an option because of CHRIST. Pure Hell is living a life apart from HIM – an existence that society chooses to call ordinary.

As we navigate the minutia of this world, we must remember that we are not ordinary – we are EXTRAORDINARY! We’ve been called by our Heavenly Father to accomplish many great and wonderful things in His Name (Jeremiah 29:11, Romans 8:28, 1 Peter 2:9, and more).

Put your faith and trust in Him. Do your best to ignore the “Little Things!”

That’s it for this week. Be well and catch you next Friday!

Until then, keep Walkin’ in Faith and Rockin’ with Alice!